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What are the reasons for female hair loss?

Many people - and women especially - take great pride in their hair. It makes sense, as your crowning glory is just as visible to the rest of the world, as your face.

Losing some hair every day is completely natural. It's a sign that your body is growing new, healthy ones to replace the old. In fact, losing 50 - 100 strands per day is normal. But, all of a sudden if you're noticing more hair in your comb, drain, or on your pillow, then you may be losing more hair than you should!

Reasons can range from the simple and temporary - a vitamin deficiency - to the more complex, like an underlying health condition. Therefore, understanding the cause of your hair loss problem is an important step before adopting any treatment method. Here are the 10 most common reasons for hair loss in women -

1. Hormonal issues

Studies have shown that hormonal imbalances have become one of the main reasons for hair loss in women. Even teenage girls are not spared hair loss as they often suffer from thyroid problems and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). New mothers may experience a temporary hair loss due to hormonal fluctuations post-delivery.

2. Excessive styling

A combination of chemical-based styling treatments such as hair smoothening, hair dye, and hair sprays can be severely damaging to your hair. The chemicals seep through your delicate hair cuticle and permanently damage it. Thus, hair loss and female baldness have become common even among women in their early 20s.

3. Crash dieting

Following a crash diet is almost akin to suffering from major nutritional deficiencies. Crash dieting, bulimia, and anorexia are known to cause hair loss. Crash diets often force you to leave out a group of foods – for instance, carbohydrates – and this can leave your body lacking in proper nutrition necessary for hair growth.

4. Certain medications

Medicines such as blood thinners, chemotherapy drugs, anti-depressants and gout prescriptions often cause hair loss when taken over an extended period of time. Even oral contraceptives (birth control pills) are known to cause severe hair loss when used at a stretch.

5. Chronic stress

Stress is the bane of a modern lifestyle. It is no secret that stress harms your heart, head, and even your hair. Hair fall, that is caused by extreme stress, can last several months. No medication can cure this condition; the only way out is to relax and take things one day at a time.

6. Tight hairstyles

Hairstyles such as cornrows, tight ponytails, and high buns put pressure on your hair follicles. Added to this, most of these hairstyles require a ton of styling products so that they set right. This combination causes hair breakage and can lead to female baldness in the long run.

7. Ill health

Hair loss is one of your body’s ways of telling you that something is not right. Diseases, like anemia, which are caused by nutritional deficiencies often manifest their first symptoms as hair loss and fatigue. Menopause, trauma post-surgery, and a sudden weight loss also lead to excessive hair fall.

8. Lifestyle factors

Lifestyle issues such as smoking, excessive drinking, and pollution can lead to hair loss. In fact, few research findings suggest that nicotine (tobacco) negatively influences the micro-circulation of our scalp, leading to increased hair loss.

9. Scalp infection

Scalp diseases like psoriasis, ringworm, alopecia areata, severe dandruff, ringworm, and folliculitis cause an inflammation of the scalp which can lead to hair loss. Thus, any scalp condition that causes a rash, severe itching, or discomfort should be shown to a doctor immediately.

10. Genetic factors

Genes are an important indicator of physical well-being. Like male pattern baldness, female baldness too is greatly determined by genetic factors. Medically known as androgenetic alopecia, the baldness gene can be inherited from either your mother or father. Female pattern baldness tends to develop around the crown of the head at the center parting.